Shuswap Tourism proudly announces the launch of the Shuswap Farmstand Tour, a new initiative aimed at showcasing the rich bounty of local agriculture in the Shuswap. This self-guided tour invites residents and visitors to explore a network of charming farmstands offering a variety of fresh produce and artisanal goods.
“We’re really excited to have people come and stop at those beautiful farmstands along the sides of the road,” said Morgen Matheson, organizer of the tour and manager of Shuswap Tourism. The tour launched on Thursday of last week, and it has already begun attracting attention.
Matheson shared that the inspiration for the Shuswap Farmstand Tour came from the abundance of farmstands she noticed while driving through the region’s scenic back roads. “You just want to know where they all are because you want to stop at them, you want to make a plan,” she explained. The tour not only supports the local tourism economy and farmers by encouraging direct purchases but also offers a delightful reason to embark on a road trip.
The tour starts on Highway 97, travels up through Salmon River Road and Yankee Flats Road, and eventually reaches the Salmon Arm area along Highway 1. Visitors can expect to discover a wide variety of products at these farmstands, ranging from farm-fresh eggs, produce, and flowers to baked goods and art. The tour features two types of experiences: the traditional farmstand trail and an immersive experience that includes larger farmstands and “you-pick” activities.
Participants can find detailed information and a map of the participating farmstands on their new website ShuswapGrown.ca which was created by Csek Creative. The site provides a Google map with pinpoints for each farmstand, complete with directions and details about what each farmstand offers. “Each Google pinpoint has a little bit about the farm and a little bit about what they’re selling, which is great because they’ll be able to tell you exactly what they’re selling that’s in season at this moment,” Matheson noted.
The farmstands operate on an honor system, with some simply being stocked full of fresh produce and goods without anyone manning the stand. This allows visitors to conduct transactions independently and enjoy the freshest farm produce. Matheson emphasized the diversity of the offerings, highlighting that visitors can find a variety of goods to suit their tastes and needs.
For farms to join the tour, they must have a farmstand that is stocked as much as possible throughout the week. “We want to cater not only just to the weekend tourists but also to the Tuesday tourists,” Matheson said, ensuring that there is something available for everyone regardless of the day of the week.
Looking ahead, Shuswap Tourism has big plans for the Farmstand Tour. This year, the focus is on the Falkland area and the Salmon River and Yankee Flats roads. However, there are plans to expand the tour to cover the entire Shuswap region, including North Shuswap and South Shuswap areas like Sorrento and Solista. “Eventually, it’ll go throughout the entire Shuswap,” Matheson said with enthusiasm.
The Shuswap Farmstand Tour offers a self-guided tour through one of the most beautiful regions in British Columbia, allowing participants to connect with local farmers and enjoy locally produced food, honey, and other goods. To stay updated on the latest news and participating farmstands, visitors are encouraged to check the ShuswapGrown.ca website and follow Shuswap Tourism on social media.
“We’re really happy and thankful. A farmstand is only as good as the people that participate, so we’re really lucky to have such an amazing cluster of farming in our community,” Matheson said, expressing her gratitude for the local farmers and their contributions to the tour.
The Shuswap Farmstand Tour is set to become a highlight of summer activities in the Shuswap, promoting sustainable agriculture and fostering community connections. Participants are encouraged to share their experiences on social media using the hashtags #ShuswapGrown and #ExploreShuswap. For more information and updates, visit ShuswapGrown.ca.
